Looking for ways to help your student stay productive this summer? Taking acollege-level course or two at a community college could be the perfect fit.Here are three reasons your student should consider adding academics thissummer:
1. Saving time.
For many students, summer hours are wasted away in front of the TV (or worseyet–sleeping well into the afternoon!); but taking a course at a communitycollege could help your student get ahead of the game when fall rolls around.Earning college credits now can save time during the college years, and mayeven help your student graduate with a degree a semester early.
Another bonus of taking summer courses? Many community colleges offeraccelerated classes, so with a little extra work your student could earn creditfor a semester-long course in a matter of weeks instead of months.
2. Saving money.
Let’s face it–the college years are expensive. Community colleges, however,charge much less tuition per course than a 4-year college or university, so ifyour child can finish the same (or equivalent) class at a community collegenow, why pay more for him or her to take it at a 4-year college later? It cantranslate into getting a discount on those college credits!
3. Staying “fit” for the school year.
One of the hardest parts about the “back-to-school” season is that manystudents feel their study and writing skills–as well as their enthusiasm forand motivation to pursue schoolwork–have atrophied over the summer break. Toomuch play and no work makes the transition back to a class schedule and examstough. Completing one or two classes over the long vacation may help yourstudent remain focused and in the learning zone for the next school year.
If summer classes sound appealing, I encourage your to do more research.Talk to your student’s high school counselor or a college admissions officerand find out which courses offered at your local community college willtransfer for credit at your child’s future (or current) college oruniversity.
All the best,Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox CollegeFunding®, a nationwide company that helps families findcreative ways to reduce their college costs.